Vasily Tarasov, head of one of the biggest Russian crime families, needs a favour from Gabriel Moretti. Vasily has a daughter, Eva, whom he walked away from as a baby, to keep her and her mother safe from his enemies. But it seems his enemies have uncovered his secret, murdering Eva's mother, and now coming after Eva, who is all grown up. Eva is oblivious of who her father is, and believes her mother was killed in an accident.

Gabriel has been ordered to protect her with his life. However Gabriel has an enemy of his own - his brother Stefano has vowed to destroy him - and when he realises there is a connection between Gabriel and Eva, he is determined to murder her. Eva meets Gabriel, unaware of who he is, and falls for him almost instantly. Gabriel, who would never want to disrespect Vasily, falls just as hard for her, and they are unable to stop their sizzling attraction developing.

When Eva is attacked, Gabriel and his extremely sexy security crew, jump into action, and Gabriel is forced to tell Eva everything. Will Eva be able to forgive all of Gabriel's lies, and accept the business that he is in? And will Gabriel be able to protect her from the wrath of his brother, and save the only woman who has touched his soul?

When I finished reading A LOVE OF VENGEANCE by Nancy Haviland, the first thing I did was check when the next book would be released because this novel is addictive, and I cannot wait for number two in the series! Completely absorbed in the plot from the outset, I fell in love with Gabriel and his crew, flawed as they are, as they fight to do what has to be done, to protect the people they love and respect, while also trying to retain a moral compass to their actions. They never attack just because they can.

Eva is a beautiful character who deals with everything that is thrown at her, in a fabulously entertaining way, and I love the way she is the only one who can get under Gabriel's skin. The relationship between Eva and Gabriel is so deep and sensual, and the reader really connects with Gabriel's desperate need to protect her.

A LOVE OF VENGEANCE by Nancy Haviland is one of the best novels I have read in a long time, with a dangerous and exciting plot line, and characters that jump off the page and into a reader's heart. Everyone should read this book!

Book Summary

Once the most feared member of an Italian Mafia crime family, Gabriel Moretti returns to New York at the request of his mentor, Russian crime boss Vasily Tarasov. Vasily needs someone he can trust in Seattle to protect his estranged daughter, Eva Jacobs, while he avenges the murder of the young woman’s mother. Gabriel is unstoppable in a fight, whether he’s using fists, blades, or bullets; but innocent, onyx-haired Eva may just be the most dangerous— and beautiful—thing he’s come up against.

Intense sparks fly between the two, tempting Gabriel to mix business with pleasure while in the Emerald City. But once word gets around that Gabriel has shown up in New York, Stefano—his vengeful brother and the de facto head of the family—decides that Eva is the key to ending the feud between them…permanently.

In this pulse-pounding romantic thriller set against the backdrop of New York City’s storied underworld, loyalties will be tested, secrets will be told, and mob justice will be served.